Wind Tunnel Upgrade

Wind Tunnel Upgrade Contracting Office Address Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFMETCAL, 813 Irving Wick Dr. W., Building 2, Heath, OH 43056-1199 Description This is a request for information (RFI) / SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS. This request is not a solicitation (Request for Proposal or Request for Quotations) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. The purpose of this request for information is in support of market research being conducted by the Air Force Metrology Calibration Program (AFMETCAL) to identify potential sources and gather information on current capabilities within the market. This synopsis is for planning purposes only and is NOT to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information solicited hereunder. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party's expense. The level of security clearance and amount of foreign participation in this requirement has not been determined. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked PROPRIETARY will be handled accordingly. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Proprietary information or trade secrets should be clearly identified. If, after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company's capability in meeting these requirements. Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.) Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged. The Air Force Metrology and Calibration Program is considering a purchase of a Wind Tunnel Upgrade. This acquisition is for an upgrade for nine bench top wind tunnels that are used by Air Force calibration labs to calibrate hot wire type air velocity meters. The wind tunnels are approximately 5 feet long with a diameter varying between 17 and 4 inches. A variable speed fan is mounted at one end to draw air through a 4 inch x 4 inch test section at calibrated velocities. The air velocity in the wind tunnel is calculated from sensors that measure the differential pressure across the venturi section, absolute pressure, temperature and humidity. A controller calculates the air velocity from the Bernoulli equation and controls the wind tunnel speed. The range of the wind tunnel is 30 to 9,000 ft/min and the accuracy of the displayed air velocity is approximately 2% of reading for 30 to 600 ft/min, 1.5% of reading for 600 to 2,000 ft/min and 1% of reading for 2,000 to 9,000 ft/min. The controller hardware, software and sensors are approximately 10 years old. The upgrade would consist of replacing the controller hardware and wind tunnel sensors and motor and updating the software. A NIST traceable calibration of the air velocity readings of each upgraded wind tunnel using a Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV) as the calibration standard is required. The total estimated quantity is nine (9) units. Surplus or used material is not acceptable for this item. Offerors responding to this sources sought market research notice must: (1) state whether they are a small or large business, and indicate if the company is a small disadvantaged or woman-owned business, veteran owned, 8(a) firm, or a historically black college or university or minority institution (HBCU/MI), or a historically underutilized business zone (HUBZone) small business (2) advise if your product is a commercial item and how long you can hold pricing if quotes are requested (3) advise if you have the item on a GSA schedule or other Government contract include front page of schedule and the page showing the part is on award (4) provide information concerning the technical capabilities of the product you are interested in offering, including commercial literature/brochures and warranty. Describe any awards you have been involved in that are the same as or similar to what is described in this RFI. Include any other pertinent information which would enable the government to assess your firm's capabilities (5) advise if you accept the Government purchase card (6) Provide Point of Contact including: company/ institute name, address, phone number and email address (7) provide assigned Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code (8) Verify if your company/institute is listed in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) (9) State if your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign owned, please indicate the country of ownership) (10) Advise how much time you would need to submit a technical proposal if a solicitation is issued (11) provide an estimated price for one each, an estimated price for the total quantity and provide any price quantity discounts based on the total estimated quantity (12) include how many units you could deliver every 30 days. Submit all responses to the listed point of contact. If an email response is not possible, submit by FAX to 740-788-5157 or mail to 813 Irving-wick Dr W., Building 2, Heath OH 43056-1199. Reference 13E-219A-FL in all correspondence. Responses are due by 4:00 pm EDT, 31 August 2012. Point of Contact - Kathryn Vaccaro, Contract Specialist, Phone 740-788-5078 Email: Kathryn.vaccaro@afmetcal.af.mil.